The Portland daily press., 1887-08-06
oLEoMARcERINE.
The Commissioner Finds Probable
Cause Against Mr.. Best.

The continued case of Mr.. John l.. Best,
who was bound over on suit brought by
the U. S.-Government, through Deputy Col
lector Cromwell, for selling oleomargerine.
after his license had expired, was brought
up before Commissioner Rand yesterday
morning.
The witnesses for the government were
Mr. Norris and Deputy Collector Cromwell.
Norris testified that he went to Mr. Best's
establishment and wantsd to get some oleo-
margarine; that Mr. Wilson, the foreman,
said they did not handle it, but finally Will
son told him he could have sample package
Of ten pounds, but didn't ask him to pay for
it. Norris left $l.40, the price of it, with the
bookkeeper. Didn't know whether the book
keeper knew what it was for. Said Mr. Best
came in while he was there and told Wilson
he must not sell any oleomargerine that the
stock belonged to Mr.. Girard and he had no
right to sell it, and if he did he must do so
on his own responsibility. That he. Best,
didn't have any license, and didn't deal In it.
Deputy Cromwell testified to finding 40 ten
pound kegs and 20 pound kegs on Best's
premises. Wilson told him he sold one keg
Of it, Said he went to Boston and examined
Hammond d Co.. sbooks, and found that
Best had not bought any oleomargerine since
May lst. and that Girard did buy the quanti-
ty stored at Best's place July 81, 1887.
For the defence Mr.. Best testified that he
had not bought or sold any oleomargerine
since May /, and forbade his men to sell any,
gerine found on his premisds was simply
stored for Girard, who was beef customer.
Said he told Wilson he must not sell the keg
to Norris; that it was Girard's, and that if
he did let 1t go it must be on his own respon-
sibility.
Girard testified to his ownership of the
oleomargerine, which he bought in Boston.
Had not bought any of Best since May /.
Wilson testified that the oleomargerine was
stored at the request of Freight Agent
Thompson Of the B. & M. r. r., Who came to
Best's and asked them to take care of it for
Girard because it was melting, and they did
1t at his request. Didn't charge for the stor-
age. He testified that Norris represented
himself to be trader from Lewiston and
wanted a sample of oleomargerine. Gave
him cake and then he wanted 10 pound
tub. Gave it to him. Didn't know he paid
anything to the bookkeeper. Best forbade
MN to sell any. The concern didn't handle
the goods. This keg belonged to Girard. He
delivered this on his own responsibility.
MIR. Walker, bookkeeper for Best said he
had not dealt in oleomargerine since May 1.
That somebody handed him S1.4o, July 29th.
they dealt in nothing then but beef, and sup
posed this was what it was for
Mr.. thompson testified that the oleomar-
gerlne came to the freight station about 22d
July, directed to Girard, from Boston. That
~ " 90 AiOhshB oOino, anu Ht dskeu MI. beSL
folks, on the 2Sth, 10 take it in their store
house for Glrard he frequently asked them
to take goods for different people.
The Commissioner, after the arguments
which were made by District Attorney Bird
for the government, and Hon. w. f. Lunt for
Best, decided there was probable cause and
held Best in $500 for his appearance at the
September term of the U. S. Court to be held
at Bath,